Category Archive

We all face difficult times in life. Some experienced layoffs while others went through a divorce. During these times, it doesn’t benefit us to get sad or depressed. Although those emotions are pressing hard against us, we must do our best to maintain our joy. Our joy is the source of strength we have to get us through these tough times. We’re not joyous because of the situation. We have joy because we know and have an assurance that God’s Word will benefit us in the end.

Don’t allow negative experiences to steal your joy.

Nehemiah 8:10 Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”

Psalm 5:11, 12 But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; Let those also who love Your name Be joyful in You. For You, O Lord, will bless the righteous; With favor You will surround him as with a shield.

We should:
1. Rejoice
2. Trust
3. Be joyful
4. Love (serve sacrificially)

Then, we will:
1. Be defended,
2. Be blessed,
3. Be favored!

Romans 12:12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; constant in prayer;

While the last part of the verse is perhaps most well known, the middle portion speaks volumes. Everyone goes through some form of challenges, but our demeanor while in them is what we can impact. Being patient in tribulation does not mean complacency nor enjoyment of the trial. Rather it consists of a constant mindset of trust in the Lord and of our victorious outcome. And while trusting remember to:

1 Thessalonians 5: 16Rejoice evermore. 17Pray without ceasing. 18In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Matthew 15:13 (Jesus speaking)
But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father has not planted, shall be rooted up.

In the natural, every plant starts off as a seed. Likewise, in the spiritual realm, every “spiritual plant” starts off as a seed. A “spiritual plant” is something that started off as a seed of confession and now has developed in our natural life. This plant can positively or negatively affect our lives.

For example, some of you may have said since you were little that you wanted to become a doctor. By confessing and meditating on becoming a doctor, you sowed a seed into your life. The seed has germinated and now you are a doctor. Once again, this plant can also negatively affect someone’s life. A person may have said, “I will never get married!” Unfortunately that seed of confession, if not corrected or rebuked, can negatively affect that person’s life.

Jesus was sent to assist our Father by helping Him set the stage to uproot everything that He did not plant. What was not planted by God? Anything that is contrary to His Word. Because of the blood of Jesus, every sickness, disease, lack, and death has been uprooted.

Sow a positive seed and reap the plants God desires for His people.

Inspired by Pastor Bill Winston

Every promise of God can be followed by… because He loves you.

He will never leave you nor forsake you because He loves you (Deut 31:6).

By the stripes of Jesus Christ you are healed because He loves you (1 Peter 2:24).

He will make your enemies your footstool because He loves you (Psalm 110:1).

Jesus sent His Son into the world to save you because He loves you (John 3:16).

The blessing of Abraham is on your life because He loves you (Galatians 3:14).

When we truly internalize and are convinced that God loves us in spite of our ways, in spite of our mistakes, in spite of our shortcomings then we can be free.

On this Thanksgiving Day, give God thanks because He loves you.

Romans 8:38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow–not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.

God desires for His people to be financially prosperous to assist in the expansion of the Kingdom of God and to be a blessing to others.

The third and final purpose of our financial prosperity is because God desires that for His people. God sent Jesus to the earth not only to save us but, to allow us to live abundantly (John 10:10). Third John 1:2 says we should be prosperous and in good health. Our prosperity depends on our limits we set on God. If we only want one car, one house, and a dog, God will grant that to us according to Matthew 7:7 which says “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. But, if we want a massive house, a summer-house, 3 vehicles, and expensive clothes God will grant that to us according to His Word. We shouldn’t be upset with others because their limits are set higher than ours. They are just receiving ALL that God has promised them. Instead of being upset, maybe we should reconsider our limitations by taking them off of God.

One thing to be mindful of in desiring to be financially prosperous is to allow God’s priority in the Kingdom of God to outweigh our desire of materialistic possessions. We should spend more in the Kingdom of God than we do for ourselves.

Desire to be financially prosperous to expand the Kingdom of God, to be a blessing to the people of God, and to enhance the quality of life.

John 10:10 The thief comes not, but to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

Be Blessed!

God desires for His people to be financially prosperous to assist in the expansion of the Kingdom of God.

The second purpose of our financial prosperity is to be a blessing to the people of God. Genesis 12:2 says we are blessed to be a blessing. God should be able to use us to be blessings in the lives of others. Our financial assistance could be the answer to someone’s prayers. But, how can we give something we don’t have? If someone observes a person in need financially, they may desire to help them but, in all actuality they don’t have any money to spare. That’s not God’s best. God desires, through us, to help the poor, help the widows, and the orphans who literally need assistance. Helping others is a part of God’s covenant. According to Deuteronomy 8:18, it takes finances to establish God’s covenant.

For those who don’t desire to be financially prosperous for themselves at least do it for the expansion of God’s Kingdom and to be a blessing in the lives of others.

Genesis 12:2 “I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.

*Stay tuned for final reason why God wants us to be financially prosperous.

When being financially prosperous is mentioned in the church world, some become defensive, confused, and even angry towards the person who mentions the topic.

Does it make sense for doctors and lawyers (who don’t know God) to be blessed financially but, the children of the Most High God have to suffer financially?

There are three main reasons why God wants His people to be blessed financially.

The main purpose of our financial prosperity is to be workers together with God to help build the Kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 3:9). The only way God can do anything in this earth is through us. In order for us to have a nice comfortable building where we can worship and in order to reach the masses of people by way of TV, internet, and radio, it takes money. How much sense does it make for night clubs, arenas, and bars to be more elaborate than the House of God? We should desire to be financially prosperous to have a stronger impact to establish the Kingdom of God in this dark world.

For those who don’t desire to be financially prosperous for themselves at least do it for God and the expansion of the Kingdom of God.

1 Corinthians 3:9 For we are laborers together with God: you are God’s field, you are God’s building.

*Stay tuned for parts 2 and 3 reasons of why God wants us to be financially prosperous.

How can we love others when our understanding of His love for us is minuscule? If we could focus on His love for us, His unwavering, fully caring, totally into us, sacrificial love. Remind yourself throughout the day, whether doing something good or not, whether facing trials or not, “He loves me.” With the revelation of His love, we can fully trust and receive the promises that He has prepared for us. From there we can begin to deepen our love for Him, and then love others as well.

1 John 4:19 We love him, because he first loved us. 16And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love; and he that dwells in love dwells in God, and God in him. 21And this commandment have we from him, That he who loves God love his brother also.

Psalm 5:3 My voice You shall hear in the morning, O Lord; In the morning I will direct it to You, And I will look up.

It is a committed choice to start the day speaking to and praising God. Make the commitment to direct your voice to The Lord. Then, continue your day looking up:
1. praising God throughout the day,
2. allowing God to provide insight and direction to your day,
3. finding a way to keep your focus God-centered and not being distracted by emotions, situations, or anything else that attempts to get you down.

1 Peter 5:9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

Satan is out to separate us from our promises and ultimately destroy our lives. His weapon of choice is thoughts, ideas, and suggestions in the form of temptations. The only way to resist the attacks of the enemy is through faith.

Faith is used for everything. Faith is the only thing that will overcome the attacks of the enemy. We have to have faith to believe God loves us in spite of what we’re going through. We have to have faith to believe we are healed even though we are coughing and sneezing. We have to have faith to believe that God wants to fulfill our marital desires even though we are 30 plus and still single.

Every attack of the enemy is attempting to rob us of our faith. He knows if we have just a small amount of faith, he and his attacks are defeated. Continue to grow in the Word of God to develop the faith that is needed to defeat the attacks of the enemy.

Be blessed!

*Subscribe to everydaygodswill.com to receive your daily devotional via email.

John 6:63 The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.

Jesus said the words that He speaks are spirit and life. Since Jesus is our example of how we should live on earth, whatever He can do; we can do too and even greater works (John 14:12). If Jesus’ words are spirit and life then, our words are spirit and life.

 Everything we see in the natural has a spiritual root by way of speech. Whenever we speak (positive or negative) we are sowing a spiritual seed that will eventually take root. The Bible instructs us in Romans 12:14, to bless and not curse those who persecute us. This means we have the ability to do both but, God desires that we bless instead of curse. That’s why it’s so important to be mindful of our speech. We may not see the manifestation of our speech immediately but, when we speak negatively we are planting a negative seed in our life or in the lives of others.

Speak life and be encouraging.  

-Inspired by Pastor Bill Winston

* Be a blessing by encouraging others to subscribe to everydaygodswill.com.

2 Corinthians 13:14 Now may the grace of God, the love of Jesus, and the sweet communion of the Holy Spirit, rest, rule, and abide now, henceforth and forevermore.  Amen.

Most of the time, this statement is made during the benediction at church. This statement is pretty accurate when it comes to biblical truth regarding the Holy Spirit. We, the believers, should desire the Holy Spirit to rest, rule, and abide within us. God, through Jesus, has made the Holy Spirit available to reside within us to guide us everyday of our life. When we acknowledge the Holy Spirit’s presence and heed to His commands we will experience God’s best in life.

Rest- Receive the Holy Spirit. Allow the Holy Spirit to rest within us. Don’t fight or debate with the Holy Spirit’s promptings. Make the Holy Spirit feel welcome in your temple.

Rule- The Holy Spirit is in control. God is smarter than us and He knows the end from the beginning. Be at peace with the fact that the Holy Spirit is in control.

Abide- Allow the Holy Spirit to make His home in us by acknowledging Him in all our decisions. It’s up to us to be filled with the Holy Spirit.

1 Thessalonians 4:7 For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. 8 Therefore, he who rejects this instruction does not reject man but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit.

Be Blessed!

*Be a blessing to the Kingdom of God and the people of God by subscribing to receive a daily email from everydaygodswill.com.

The foundation for Christianity is belief. We believe God sent His Son Jesus; we believe Jesus died for our sins, and we believe when we depart from this earth we will be with the Father. Everything we need or want is attached to our belief.

With all this being said, the best plan of attack against the Christian is doubt and unbelief. Satan will use every trick in the book to make the believer live in doubt and unbelief. Satan will try to make us believe God does not love us, we’re not worthy to be blessed, and so much more. The battle ground for Satan’s attacks is in our mind. If he can control our mind, he can control our belief. Without belief, we can’t receive anything from God including, salvation.

Our fight is against the weapons of doubt and unbelief. Anytime a thought, suggestion, or idea enters our mind that is contrary to the Word of God, we must rebuke it in Jesus name.

–Side Note: In order for us to know what is contrary to the Word of God, we must know the Word of God (Read the Bible).

Our job is to believe and receive the Word of God. Every promise in the Word of God is ours. Even if it seems far-fetched or highly unlikely, those promises are ours. Even if our current situation is not great, those promises belong to us.

Believe and receive EVERYTHING Jesus has done for you.

Hebrews 9:15 For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance–now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.

Seriously, be blessed!

*Be a blessing to the Kingdom of God and people of God by inviting others to everydaygodswill.com.

Desire for Change

In our hearts, we know we need to improve on certain things in our life but, we have to desire the change within ourselves. Some people’s improvement may be more noticeable than others. For example, some people know they should stop “smoking weed” while others know they need to improve on showing the love of God to others.

Once again, we have to desire the change within ourselves. If we live our lives thinking we’re okay and there is nothing we need to change, we are deceiving ourselves. Everyday we should be working on something. The only perfect person Who walked this earth was Jesus Christ.

Continue to grow, develop, and improve to be more Christ like in this world.    

Ephesians 4:13 This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.

Be Blessed!

*Be a blessing to the Kingdom of God and people of God by inviting others to everydaygodswill.com.

1 Corinthians 13:8a Love never fails

God never quits, nor gives up, nor fails. And, He made us in His image (Genesis 1:27). Imagine the magnitude of the things we can do here on Earth and bring glory to Him. Seek God; allow Him to lead you into your purpose. And, never quit, never give up, because even though trials may come, they will never overtake us. We have the victory because He paid it all.

1 John 4:16 And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love; and he that dwells in love dwells in God, and God in him.

1 Corinthians 15:57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

When was the last time you felt gratitude for something God has already done? Faith helps us feel that gratitude for the things that have not yet manifested. So, pray, declare, and believe God’s Word, and praise Him. Then, connect with your emotions and feel the gratitude of knowing that what you asked for has already been done!

Matthew 17:20 And He said to them, “Because of the littleness of your faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you.

A lot of people have heard the verse “A man who finds a wife finds a good thing.” What most people tend to leave off is the second half of that verse. The second half says “and finds favor from The Lord.” Favor, is God using somebody, somewhere to use their power, ability, and influence to help us.

MEN, when we marry that woman Who God blessed us with, not only do we receive a blessing in that woman but, we also receive favor from The Lord. The favor of God is not limited to our marriage but, in every aspect of our lives (career, finances, social life, etc.).
WOMEN, when you marry that man God has for you, you become one flesh. This means, everything he has is yours. So, you also receive favor from The Lord in every aspect of your lives.

When we try to cheat the system by “acting married” but, not actually married we are…
1. Not honoring God.
2. Missing out on additional favor God wants us to have.

Receive the favor of God by doing things God’s way.

Proverbs 18:22 He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the LORD.

*Be a blessing to the Kingdom of God and the people of God by sharing the site everydaygodswill.com with others.

One of the biggest issues that we (you and I) Christians have is our unbelief. God said in His Word that with Him all things are possible (Mark 10:27). If God said that all things are possible, why are we limiting Him to what we think He can or cannot do?

For example, if a minister said God can make us a millionaire in a month, most people would think that’s impossible or highly unlikely. Others may think they’re crazy. The average Christian will say “Amen” or “I agree” but, in their hearts they don’t believe.

Mark 11:23 says in so many words, if we believe and don’t doubt in our hearts, it shall be done. It does not say don’t doubt in our heads but, our hearts. Our hearts represent the very core of our being. The enemy will first place doubt in our heads hoping that the doubt will eventually reach our hearts. It’s an hourly battle to remove doubt from our head. The further we venture past our logic and believe in God doing the impossible, the more attacks we receive from doubt. When the spirit of doubt (anything contrary to the Word of God) comes, rebuke that spirit, in Jesus name.

Stay strong, rebuke doubting spirits, and believe God’s Word.

Matthew 19:26 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Psalm 37:5 Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act.

During this past 2012 election in the USA, we’ve listened to ordinary people give us promises that will enhance the quality of our lives and our country. Neither candidate has fulfilled these promises yet but, we’re quick to believe them based on their word alone.

On the other hand, we have a great God Who has promised us numerous amounts of things in His Word. God has promised us health, salvation, wealth, and prosperity in all things but, we’re hesitant to completely believe/trust God. Why? Are we quicker to take a man at his word more so than God?

God is great and He wants to bless His people but, He needs us to trust, believe, and have faith in His Word.

Increase the trust!

Job 15:8 Do you listen in on God’s council? Do you limit wisdom to yourself?

Many times we base our life around logic and reasoning instead of God’s Word and God’s Spirit. We use logic and reason simply because we can identify with it easier than listening to an invisible God. That’s not God’s plan.

If God intended for us to work out situations by ourselves, why did He send His Son and His Spirit? Obviously God, Who is smarter than us, realizes we need His counseling through His Spirit to reap the best in life.

God’s plan is for us to utilize Him and His Spirit in every situation and every circumstances. So, from now on, be led by the Spirit.

James 5: 16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. 17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. 18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.

Any believer can pray and receive the impossible. Elijah was not perfect, but he believed God. We, as believers, have been made righteous (Romans 5:19). The next step is to pray effectively. God’s Word is the most effective Word; it does not return void (Isaiah 55:11). So when we pray using His Word, we can expect the manifestation of our desired prayer. Then, we must pray fervently, or relentlessly. Keep praising, seeking, declaring, and believing God.

Mark 11:24 Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.

Hosea 12:4 Yes, he struggled with the Angel and prevailed; He wept, and sought favor from Him. He found Him in Bethel, And there He spoke to us 6 So you, by the help of your God, return; Observe mercy and justice, And wait on your God continually.

Psalm 37:9 For evildoers shall be cut off; But those who wait on the Lord, They shall inherit the earth.

Wait on God. But, how?
Continue to pray. Keep seeking God; keep declaring the manifestation of His Word (receive the desires of our hearts, no good thing withheld from us, abundantly more than we can ask or think, we are healed, and more). Then, praise, and repeat. As God reveals and speaks to us, whether in steps or in full, obey and then continue to seek Him.

Proverbs 3:6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

God’s Word says when we acknowledge Him, He will make our paths straight. Another meaning for straight is known, clear, or certain. This means, when we don’t acknowledge God, our path is unknown, unclear, or uncertain. Who wants to go through life blindfolded or confused? Acknowledging God means to get His permission or the okay to do a particular thing. As we acknowledge God, He will reveal (good or not so good things) things to us.

Allow God (our Creator and the One Who knows everything) to direct your steps and experience a blessed life.

Be Blessed!

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” -Ephesians 2:8, 9

What we have to remember is that Jesus did it ALL. This not only includes salvation but, health, wealth, promotions, protection, and so much more. We have to be mindful not to rely solely on our own efforts, merits, ideas, and the world’s system only to replace what Jesus has done.

For example, when we take medicine, vitamins, workout, and eat right, we have to realize this alone won’t make us live longer. God has already promised us in Psalm 91:16 with long life HE will satisfy us. Our faith for long life should rest in God not our healthy rituals. Now, before you start throwing all your vitamins away and quit your workout plan, God’s Word also says faith without works is dead (James 2:17). God has given us tools we can use to assist in fulfilling His promises.

Just remember to put your trust, hope, and full confidence in God and not our works alone.

Be Blessed!

We hear and are encouraged to know that greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world however; it would be beneficial for us to have an understanding on how to utilize this “He” within us.

First of all, the “He” that is mentioned in 1 John 4:4 is the Holy Spirit. When we get born again, we have access to the Holy Spirit but, it’s up to us to activate the Holy Spirit in our lives. Once the Holy Spirit is activated, our spirits are now able to receive God’s guidance. We receive direction from the Holy Spirit when we quiet our minds and allow our bodies to be still. This allows our spirit to be sensitive to hear direction from the Spirit of God.

When we are led by the Spirit of God, we officially become sons and daughters of God according to Romans 8:14. When we are led by the Spirit of God, the Holy Spirit will guide us on a safe route to our destination. When we are led by the Spirit of God, the Holy Spirit will impart wisdom when we make business deals. When we are led by the Spirit of God, the Holy Spirit will give us creative ideas to enhance the quality of our life. When we are led by the Spirit of God, the Holy Spirit will give us ideas, direction, and concepts and so much more to stay steps ahead of the enemy. That way, we can continue to live the blessed life in a chaotic world.

1 John 4:4 You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

Be Led!

1 Corinthians 2:12 We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us.

We can mention over and over again all the promises of God and how they are made available to the believer however, we cannot access the promises of God without the Holy Spirit. When we get born again, we receive the right to embody the Holy Spirit. But, it’s up to us to activate the Holy Spirit in our lives.

It’s like having a credit card. We can have a credit card and the pin number to the credit card but, if we don’t contact the credit card company to activate the credit card, we can’t access the money. This was proven in Acts 19:2 where men were saved through Jesus Christ but they never activated the Holy Spirit since they believed. This is the same way today. People can be saved but, have not received or activated the Holy Spirit. Without the Holy Spirit, how can we receive the promises of God? Sure, we can read and know where the promises are physically located in the Word of God but, to receive or take ownership of those promises, we need the Holy Spirit.

Invite the Holy Spirit in your life and receive all the gifts God has for us.

Be Blessed!

Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.

Music itself, is neither moral nor amoral. Depending upon the lyrics, music can either enhance our faith or detract from our faith.

Faith comes by hearing (Romans 10:17). So, whatever we hear, is what we will have faith for. If all we listen to is secular music and the only time we hear gospel music is on Sundays, our faith will be limited. When our faith is limited, it’s hard to stand in faith for the duration of the test. It’s hard to bind and loose things when negativity is staring at us in the face. It’s hard to understand the magnitude of God’s love when we feel heartbroken.

If we listen to music that builds our faith, it makes it easier to realize God can do the impossible. It makes it easier to declare that we are healed when the doctor’s report is negative. It makes it easier to realize we are forgiven when we just sinned.

I encourage everyone to build their faith by increasing their capacity of hearing/listening to faith building music.

Be Blessed!

God has blessed us with so much. God has blessed us with our life, our health, and strength.

The praise we owe God goes beyond our feelings and/or situation. When we’re in the mindset where we don’t feel like praising God whether in church or elsewhere, we should…

1. Think of Jesus.

-I’m sure Jesus didn’t feel like separating Himself from the Father and dying on the cross for us. But, He moved beyond His feelings and obeyed the Father.

2.   Think of the goodness of God.

-We hear this time and time again but, when we think about all the wonderful things God has done for us, I’m confident we can find at least one thing to give God praise for.

3.   Force the Praise.

-Some people feel like our praise is not honorable to God if we have to force ourselves to praise God. They have the mindset where if you’re not going to praise God with gladness and joy, we shouldn’t do it at all. That’s not true. God commands and deserves our praise. He doesn’t care how He gets it. As soon as we start forcing ourselves to praise God, God is pleased. Even if our emotions are not involved with our praise, God is pleased. The funny thing is, as we continue in our forceful praise, our emotions attach themselves to the goodness of God. Eventually, our praise becomes “real” where our emotions are involved and we can praise God with gladness and joy.

Move beyond your feelings and praise God.

Psalm 145:21 My mouth will speak in praise of the LORD. Let every creature praise his holy name for ever and ever.

Many times the plans we have for ourselves are not necessarily the plans of God. The end result is the same but, the pathway to reach our destination may be different.

Some of us may have had this vision that we would go to college, maybe meet the man/woman of our dreams, graduate college, get a great career, get married, and have children. This plan may seem ideal for most people however, due to poor choices or the redirecting steps of God, the pathway to get to this destination is subject to change. The order of events may be different. Just because the order of events change or there is a delay in the timing, doesn’t mean our plans, dreams, and promises from God will not manifest. It simply means there was a detour to our destination. Continue to trust God and His failure proof plan for our lives.

We may think we know how things should operate but, God knows the best way.

Be Blessed!

Isaiah 55:19 8“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. 9“As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Job 22:21Acquaint now yourself with him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto you. 22Receive, I pray you, the law from his mouth, and lay up his words in your heart. 27You shall make your prayer unto him, and he shall hear you, and you shall pay your vows. 28You shall also decree a thing, and it shall be established for you: and the light shall shine upon your ways.

Drawing near to God entails a surplus of benefits. We
1. remain in peace,
2. receive and identify the good in our lives,
3. get personalized direction and guidance,
4. can recall His Word as needed, and
5. have the power to speak healing, abundance, joy, and more and it shall manifest.

So, speak with, listen to, and obey God. Study, meditate on, and hear His Word. Then expect to reap the benefits.

1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;

Do you know who you are? You are heir to the King of every other king that ever did or will exist.

Do your actions reflect who you are? As royalty belonging to the One identified as Love (1 John 4:8,16), we should operate in reflecting the God-love with our actions. We should do things that draw positive attention to our Father to bring glory to Him and attract others to want to be in His presence.

Do you utilize your authority? With expectation of abundance, peace, joy, healing, and love, we should study God’s Word so that we can use His Word (Luke 10:19).

Fulfill your destiny; be who God designed you to be!

Revelation 12:11
“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.”

What does it mean when people say, “I plead the blood of Jesus?” Pleading the blood of Jesus allows our logical mind to wrap itself around the fact that the blood of Jesus has already overcome every situation.
When we plead the blood of Jesus over our finances, what we really are saying is, the blood of Jesus has overcome any lack or shortage in my finances.
When we plead the blood of Jesus over our children, what we really are saying is, the blood of Jesus has given our children the protection that’s needed to stay safe in the world.
Pleading the blood of Jesus does not do anything extra spiritually and it does not make God move quicker. We are simply acknowledging the fact that the blood of Jesus has conquered all.

Revelation 3:8 I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name.

What do we have to fear or be anxious about? No man, including us, can close a door that God opens. So, there is no such thing as a lost opportunity for the believer, the man that trusts God. Our role, is to continue to stand strong in faith seeking God (read and declare His Word, pray and praise). Then, expect the manifestation of all that God has promised (Ephesians 3:20, Matthew 6:33, Jeremiah 29:11, Matthew 7:7).

John 15:7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.

Have you ever had someone ask you what you want for Christmas or your birthday and after you give them a response they respond by saying, that’s all you want? They ask this question because they expected for us to say more.

Guess what? God is the same way. When we pray and make our request made known to God, some of us are asking for the most minimalistic thing we can fathom. We lower our needs/desires because…

1. We want to lower our standards so that God can meet our expectations.
-The lower our standards are, the easier God can meet our expectation and if God doesn’t meet our expectation, we’re not too disappointed. This is a lack of faith.
2. We have minimalistic thinking.
-Some of us have been raised not to ask God for anything and if we ask God for something, we shouldn’t be greedy. This is minimalistic thinking. God promises us prosperity beyond our wildest imagination.

We should read the Word of God, know what God has promised, and expect God to manifest what He has promised.

Be Blessed!

During this time of year in America, we often criticize each other for their political views. It seems that politics splits a country apart more than anything else. So many people focus on politics while souls are lost to eternal damnation. Remember, it is God Who brings one down, and exalts another. We may vote on a particular candidate but, our source(s) does not come from the government. Our source is in God.
So, no matter who is in office at anytime, remember, our reliance is in God and since we rely on God, no man nor government can affect our prosperity, wealth, or health.

Psalm 75:7 But it is God who judges: He brings one down, he exalts another.

Be Blessed!

Inspired by: Christine Brown

Romans 8:25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.

Hope is continuous, unwavering expectation. We may grow tired and weary, but our hope does not fail. Continue to seek God purposefully, praise God intentionally, and declare the manifestation of His Word actively.

Proverbs 27:10 Do not forsake your friend and the friend of your father, and do not go to your brother’s house when disaster strikes you–better a neighbor nearby than a brother far away.

Previously, we mentioned the traits of being a true friend. We mentioned how a true friend will speak the truth in love, support and encourage one another, and lift each other up in prayer.

It’s great to encourage and lift each other however, we SHOULD NOT do this without the Holy Spirit. Without the Holy Spirit, we are acting out of our flesh and no man can please God through his flesh. The Holy Spirit knows exactly what to say, when, and how to say it. If we just randomly attempt to encourage our friend in love on our own accord, they may not be ready or mature enough to receive it yet. That friend may view our encouragement for criticism or “judgement.”

When we’re speaking to a friend or in any arena in life, we should allow the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us every step of the way.

Be blessed and be a true friend.

Job 3:1 After this, Job opened his mouth and cursed the day of his birth.

Job was at the point of a mental breakdown due to the fact he lost his family, servants, land, and his health. In all of verse three, Job cursed the day of his birth and in my opinion, Job was borderline suicidal. What stopped Job from completely destroying himself was the supporting, yet honest words from Eliphaz, his friend.

Job 4:5 But now trouble comes to you, and you are discouraged; it strikes you, and you are dismayed. 6 Should not your piety be your confidence and your blameless ways your hope?

Many times, we think that being a good friend is talking on the phone daily or regularly attending birthday celebrations. A true friend will speak the truth in love. A true friend will support and encourage one another when the other is down and out. A true friend will sincerely lift their friend up in prayer. When we see our friends destroying themselves verbally, physically, or through sin, and do nothing, we are doing a disservice to that person. If we allow those self destructive things to continue, we should ask ourselves, are we truly their friend?

Be a true friend and be blessed.

Hebrews 12:28 Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe;

It’s interesting how most of the world is quick to complain about a certain thing. It’s very rare to have a person be genuinely grateful. For instance, if people are in an office building, they may complain about the temperature being too hot or too cold. They may call maintenance to work on the temperature to get it exactly how they want it. Once the temperature is just right, some people may be grateful but, a large majority will never say anything.

This is the same attitude some Christians have towards God. When things are not the way we want them to be, we’re quick to complain but, slow to praise and worship. We should praise God in spite of our situation. Our problems and issues should never outweigh our attitude towards God. Some of us don’t even say thank you. We should be grateful for the things that God has blessed us with. Some of our blessings may be ten years old but, God still blessed us with it.

Look over your life and be grateful for all the spiritual and physical blessings God has blessed you with and don’t forget to say thank you.

Be Blessed!